Navigation system, method and device with detour algorithm

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device's location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.

1. An electronic navigational aid device with detour route calculation capabilities, comprising:
 a processor; 
 a memory adapted to communicate with the processor, the memory having cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types; 
 a display connected to the processor and capable of displaying the cartographic data; 
 wherein the device is adapted to process the device's location and travel along a route; 
 wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route; and 
 wherein the device is adapted to select a distance to avoid in a current route from among a number of user input options in a detour route menu. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the new route is a detour route which avoids the particular portion of the thoroughfare or the one or more different thoroughfares in the previous route. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device determines data indicative of a set of travel habits for the device on each of the plurality of types of thoroughfares and stores the travel habit data in the memory. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the previous route is selected from the group consisting of a previous detour route and the planned route. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is adapted to continuously display the device's position and wherein the device further provides audio instructions to navigate the routes. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to perform a route cost analysis in order to calculate the new route. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a portable electronic navigational aid device. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the portable electronic navigational aid device includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the portable electronic navigational aid device includes a wireless communications device. 
     
     
       10. An electronic navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities, comprising:
 a processor; 
 a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having cartographic data, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types; 
 wherein the device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to a desired destination; 
 a display in communication with the processor and capable of displaying the cartographic data, the route, and the device's position; and 
 wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route including determining a distance to avoid from a number of integral distances. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is adapted to perform a route cost analysis based on the received data. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the route includes a route selected from the group consisting of an originally planned route and a previous detour route, and wherein the new route is a new detour route which avoids the portion of the particular thoroughfare in the route. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the received data includes data defining a distance along the portion of the particular thoroughfare. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein in calculating the new route the device is adapted to assign a preference for avoiding the distance along the portion of the particular thoroughfare. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the preference includes received data relating to a preference level. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route using received data relating to one or more thoroughfares in the route. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the received data relating to one or more thoroughfares in the route includes a data relating to the group consisting of a thoroughfare name and a thoroughfare type. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route using received data relating to one or more sections in the route.